In the women’s RS:X class Marina Alabau of Spain continues to lead with Romy Kinzl of Germany moving up into 2nd place. Local girl and recent silver medalist at the World Championships Barbara Kendall is lying 3rd at the end of day two just one point behind Kinzl. Over in the Men’s RS:X points are tight amongst the top three with Greek windsurfer Nikos Kaklamanakis and Joao Rodrigues of Portugal on equal points at the top of the table. Overnight leader Jon-Paul Tobin is just one point adrift of the leaders lying 3rd.

Barbara Kendall, triple Olympic medallist and IOC member, now has her sights set firmly on Beijing, after showing her medal credentials at the recent Windsurfing World Championships. Kendall finished as runner-up at the RS:X World Championships on her home waters in Takapuna, New Zealand. Her World Championship silver medal, her fourth in the last six years, caps an incredible 12 months, during which Kendall has combined training and competing for her fifth Olympic campaign with her work as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and looking after her two young daughters.

Tom Ashley from New Zealand has secured the 2008 RS:X Men’s World Championship in the medal race sailed in blustery conditions off Takapuna beach. Alessandra Sensini has taken out the women’s title with a win in the medal race today.
South easterly winds gusting to 25 knots were seen for the first time during this event and the medal races took place close to shore with a crowd of spectators on the beach and nearby ramp.

In the mens medal race JP Tobin placed 3rd and Tom Ashley 4th, Zubari (Ashleys greatest threat) placed 9th, and 1st and 2nd were well back coming in, so this should be Toms event. The womens medal race has just started (12:50), this is the decider between Kendall and Sensini. At mark 1 Sensini leads, Barbara is 1 min behind in 4th. Wind is 15-20 knots. ark 2, Sensini leads, Barbara in 3rd 29s behind.

New Zealand retains the lead for men and women at the RS:X World Championships after day four of racing off Takapuna.
Underway at one o’clock in light, shifty conditions it was a very physical racing for the gold fleets that were first on the water. Consistency was elusive for many competitors.
The light weight windsurfers with the fitness level required to pump the sail of the RS:X board around the course in the light winds had the edge today with just a touch of luck required also.

Windsurfers at the 2008 RS:X World Championships waited ashore with another postponement on day three of the regatta until a breeze filled from the south and racing started just before 2 o’clock. The local sailors lead with both Tom Ashley and Barbara Kendall topping the leader board going into the rest day.
The men’s fleet were first on the water sailing race five of the eleven race series then making way for the women’s fleet to race. A second race for both men and women followed.